Manziel’s roommate at Manning Camp? Alabama QB AJ McCarron

HOOVER, Ala. – Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel revealed Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron was his roommate at last weekend’s Manning Passing Academy, when Manziel overslept and wound up leaving the camp early as a “mutual decision” between Manziel and the Mannings.

So I asked Manziel why McCarron (both were camp counselors) didn’t wake him up. Manziel responded that perhaps McCarron was “doing his own thing” and he doesn’t exactly know why his roomie didn’t wake him in time for the morning sessions.

Manziel added: “Don’t pin this on him.”

The Aggies and Crimson Tide meet on Sept. 14 at Kyle Field in a ballyhooed showdown, and today’s revelation certainly will add fuel to that fire. For his part McCarron takes the stage at SEC media days on Thursday, and will certainly be asked why he didn’t stir his roommate.

Meanwhile Manziel, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from Kerrville Tivy, handled himself deftly this morning before a massive gathering at the SEC media days.

A few of the highlights:

* Manziel on his offseason: “We worked so hard last year I think we deserved to have a little fun.”

* Said he was simply exhausted at Manning Camp and had probably “bit off” too much in terms of his June and July schedule. Added later he’ll definitely return to Manning Camp next year.

* Said he hasn’t posted on Twitter in about a month because he “hasn’t really had anything interesting to say.”

* On his off-field activities: “My offseason will have no affect on my season.”

* Said he’d like to visit with Tim Tebow on a multitude of subjects, but hasn’t had the chance as of yet. Said he recently missed a call from Tebow. Manziel added later, “I’m not Tebow. I’m different.”

* On the upcoming season: “People are going to be gunning for us, and that’s fine.”

* Self-explanatory: “At the end of the day I’m not going for a Miss America pageant. I’m playing football.”

* Also self-explanatory: “You win the Heisman by your play on the field.”

* On what his teammates think of all of his off-field buzz: “They know where my heart is – where my head is.”

* A defiant Manziel: “I’m not going to change (who I am) because of the spotlight.” Said he will “adapt.”

* Said it’s “upsetting” to no longer have Texas on the schedule, and hopes LSU can become the Aggies’ new rival.

* Said he’s looking forward to attending tonight’s ESPYs, where he’s up for a couple of awards.

* South Carolina monster defensive end Jadeveon Clowney said Tuesday he’d certainly be able to tackle Manziel (the programs aren’t scheduled to play this year) – and Manziel responded today he’d love to face Clowney in the SEC title game.

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Photo: Dave Martin / Associated Press

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Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel fights his way through a crowd of photographers and reporters as he arrives for the SEC media days on Wednesday in Hoover, Ala.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel fights his way through a crowd of photographers and reporters as he arrives for the SEC media days on Wednesday in Hoover, Ala.